Support Kevin!
Support Kevin!
Kevin David Mitnick, born in Van Nuys, California, USA, on August 06th, 1963. He was arrested on February 15th, 1995 on the grounds of parole infringement and communication systems non-authorized access, among other charges. He is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center, in Los Angeles, California.
My name is Fernanda Serpa, I am a human rights activist and a member of Amnesty International. Jointly with two friends, Gustavo Weide, a computer technician, and Ana Elisa Prates, a human rights activist, I am starting a worldwide campaign to assure the "hacker" Kevin David Mitnick a fair trial and healthy imprisonment conditions, in conformity with the Universal Bill of Rights, particularly pursuant to its Articles V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI-1 and 2, which have been systematically violated in the aforementioned case. According to American and international press, Kevin David Mitnick was arrested under illegal conditions, against the Universal Bill of Rights and the American Constitution itself. The great "eletronic hunt" triggered against Kevin exposed the fine limit separating the privacy constitutional rights from the compliance with laws which have been apparently violated due to the supposed "threat" represented by Kevin David Mitnick.
Ill-Treatment Concern
Kevin Mitnick has already had his rights violated upon his previous arrest, in December 1988. His bail was refused, despite the American legislation assertion that the Federal Law only "deems as dangerous for the community a defendant accused of violent crimes, capital crimes or drug-related crimes involving a sentence longer than 10 years".
Excerpt from Jonathan Littman's book "The Fugitive Game":
"He served eight months in solitary confinement at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Center and four months at Lompoc, near the cost. Afterwards, after six months in a Jewish transition residence in order to be reinserted into the community, Kevin Mitnick tried to rejoin the workforce. He got a programmer position in Las Vegas, but his employer was so afraid of his reputation that he could not stay alone in the computers room. Pursuant to the law, Kevin had to tell that he was a former convict."
Finally, after he lost the programmer job in Las Vegas, in June 1991, Kevin realized that his efforts were in vain. He applied for jobs at all automated casinos: Caesar's, Mirage, Sands. All of them seemed interested, until his parole agent called or wrote them.
Federal Government had decided that Kevin Mitnick was a danger for community and, just like a convicted raper or a child abuser, he was monitored. His parole agent systematically contacted Kevin's prospective employers: "Does he have access to hard cash? I would like you to understand the danger..."
Kevin Mitnick, in the same book, says:
"I served eight months at MDC. Solitary confinement was like hell. They said I was too dangerous to get close to a telephone. They released me one hour a day. They handcuff you when they take you to the shower. It is just like in the movies. They treat you as an animal. One single day is hell, let alone eight months. They screw the people."
How is Kevin now? We do not know... Judging from the degrading treatment to which he was previously subjected, we are afraid of ill-treatment.
An Old-Style Hacker
During the persecution started in November 1992 ( after the issuance of a writ due to parole infringement) which wound-up in his February 15th, 1995 arrest, Kevin Mitnick continued working part-time and temporary positions for a living. Kevin's motivation for "compulsive electronic piracy" has never been money. He never used his knowledge unlawfully. Kevin Mitnick has never incited not committed violence acts. Kevin David Mitnick is a hacker. As defined by Jonathan Littman: "an old-style hacker - someone creatively searching for knowledge and information".
Effective Human Rights
It is just a hope that American Government and community give Kevin Mitnick a real rehabilitation opportunity. But it is a reality to DEMAND that the Government give him a fair trial and healthy imprisonment conditions: YOU may do this, writing a request to the U.S. Secretary of Justice, Ms. Janet Reno. We have already started our campaign "Support Kevin", sending the following letter:
MS. JANET RENO Dear Madam:
According to your own country's press, as well as to the international press, Mr. Kevin David Mitnick, Register number 899-50-012, was arrested under illegal conditions, against the Bill of Rights and the American Constitution itself.
Mr. Mitnick is imprisoned at the Metropolitan Detention Center, in Los Angeles, California.
This is to request that you assure a fair trial and healthy imprisonment conditions to Mr. Kevin David Mitnick. My concern is based upon humanistic and fundamental principles of International Law.
Sincerely,
_________________________________
Signature
It is important to write the letter and send it as soon as possible by mail. Ask your friends, relatives, acquaintances and Internet pals to the same. Your letter will add to many others, and this pressure will undoubtedly ratify everybody's wish of rendering the Universal Bill of Rights an effective reality. For Kevin Mitnick. For all. Without distinctions.
A big hug,
In case you want to contact us, our e-mail is: fserpa@warpnet.com.br